Strike of Our Melody | Ishikawa Yuki

Chapter Five

Autumn.

Osaka. Autumn. Couples walking together hand in hand. Friends, best friends laughing hard like they would lose their breath. Oh... how lovely to have someone. A warm lovely weather to be here in Japan. After two hours and thirty minutes on the train from Tokyo to Osaka, we finally made it to Osaka. My second hometown.

"Woah... Autumn is really different here in Japan!" Haruka said happily. Looking at the view of the city and taking pictures of it. "Ano... Yuzuki. I should get going. My brother is already waiting at a café nearby." Natsuko said holding her luggage. "Oh, okay. But will you make it to my cousin's birthday?" I asked facing her. "Mhm... I don't think so, my mother is expecting me. I'm sorry." She said sadly. "It's fine, Natsuko. Besides we could still meet anytime and anywhere here in Osaka." I smiled.

"—Have fun with your family Natsuko," I said pulling her into a hug. "Sure, I will." She replied pulling away from the hug. "Haru-san." She called for Haruka who was talking with Yui-nii. What's up with these two? Agh, are they turning into love birds? ('༎ຶོρ༎ຶོ') They just met yesterday! "Eh? Your leaving already?" Haruka walked towards Natsuko. "Mhm... My mom is expecting me today. I'm sorry if I can't be with you guys."

Haruka: "You don't have to be sorry. Family always comes first you know? Besides Yuki's here with me anyways. So, have fun."

Natsuko: "Mhm. Okay. I have to go now. Ano... Sakura-san, thank you for letting me stay yesterday."

Sakura: "No, problem my dear. You guys are always welcome. And as long you enjoyed my food!" Mama smiled at Natsuko.

Natsuko: "Of course! I enjoyed it! Thank you again!" She bowed.

Sakura: "Mhm. Okay, have a safe trip." What a lovely child. Mama whispered to me.

After we said our byes to Natsuko. I and Haruka decided to separate our ways from Mama, Yui-nii, and Miko because she wanted to come with me to surprise Ran. While on our way to his training session. Some people were asking if they could take a photo with me but I resist. "Yuzuki-san! Can I please take a photo with you?" Someone hurriedly asked running towards me. "I'm sorry. But I'm in a hurry right now." I lied to the girl who was asking me. I'm not trying to be rude. （ーー；）It's just let me enjoy my vacation.

Before going into the indoor court both of us decided to buy a coffee and pastries nearby since it was still early. "Haruka, Do you have a mask?" I asked Haruka who was taking a picture of a neko /ᐠ - ˕ -マ Ⳋ. She hummed in response "I do. Do you need one?" She asked standing up and sitting beside me. "Yes. So that he doesn't notice it's me. And for him to think that I am also just one of his fan girls." I laughed as I fixed my sunglasses. "Oh, their coach is allowing them to have people cheer for them while training?" She asked giving me a mask. "No, it's part of my plan. Luckily his coach allowed people to watch them training for me to blend in with people. Plus the coach is my old teacher back then. So surely everyone is involved."

"Order for Takahashi Yuzuki." I stand up from my seat and thanked the woman who served our order. After receiving the order we decided to enter inside of the gym.

The sound of shoes squeaking on the floor, chatting people, the sound of the ball bouncing around, loud men shouting. Ah... missed this place. What if I commuted playing volleyball? God, I would be one of Japan's greatest players. I thought, upon entering the gym, we found the perfect spot for a surprise. Mhm... He's still not here.